Public Hearing is March 18th – read this for info!

Please share with friends and family and join us on March 18th

A public hearing will be held on March 18th regarding HB7015 – with the Orwellian title . . . “An Act Concerning Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients.”  (Note, the bill number and title were changed.)

FIC is ready for action.

We are lining up experts to testify, but we need you.  Your participation in the public hearing is essential.  The members of the Judiciary Committee want to hear from you.  There are many ways to participate.

1) Personally Testify. Most importantly, we need people to testify.  The lottery to testify is between 7:30 and 9:30.  If you miss the lottery, you may still sign up to testify.  Testimony may be up to 3 minutes long and can be submitted electronically also.  Effective arguments against assisted suicide can be found here . . . http://dredf.org/public-policy/assisted-suicide/key-objections-to-the-legalization-of-assisted-suicide/ and here.  Keep your written testimony polite and brief.  The state has published a guide to testifying, found here. Your testimony must include your name and town and be addressed to the “Members of the Judiciary Committee” and should include the words “I am submitting testimony in OPPOSITION to HB 7015” along with your statement.  Cut & paste, or attach it to your e-mail in Word or PDF format e-mail to judtestimony@cga.ct.gov right away.  If you have questions, please give us a call at  (860)548-0066, toll free (844) 801-FICT [3428].  We are happy to help.

The Connecticut General Assembly’s bulletin has information on the details of the March 18th public hearing. Note: you do NOT have to submit 50 copies of your testimony.  That is optional. Here are the key parts:

The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. in Room 2C of the LOB.  Public speaker order will be determined by a lottery system.  Lottery numbers will be drawn from 7:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. in the First Floor Atrium of the LOB.  Speakers arriving after the completion of the lottery will have their names placed at the end of the speaker list.  Please submit 50 copies of written testimony to Committee staff no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Room 2500 of the LOB.  No testimony will be accepted after Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 5:00 P.M.  Written testimony submitted by a person(s) or organization(s) which exceeds five (5) single-sided pages per bill or resolution will only be posted on the Judiciary Committee’s website at the discretion of the Judiciary Committee chairs.  Testimony received after the designated time may not be distributed until after the hearing.  Please email written testimony in Word or PDF format to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov.  Testimony should clearly state testifier name and related Bills.  Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony.  The Committee encourages witnesses to submit a written statement and to condense oral testimony to a summary of that statement.

2) Continue to submit written testimony to judtestimony@cga.ct.gov till end of day Wednesday 3/18. We need everyone to submit personal testimony even if they do not physically testify.  It still becomes part of the public record.   Recommended testimony is less than five pages and should be submitted electronically by e-mail.  Effective arguments against assisted suicide can be found here . . . http://dredf.org/public-policy/assisted-suicide/key-objections-to-the-legalization-of-assisted-suicide/ and here  – legislators love bullet points! Keep your written testimony polite and brief.  Your testimony must include your name and town and be addressed to the “Members of the Judiciary Committee” and should include the words “I am submitting testimony in OPPOSITION to HB 7015” along with your statement.  Cut & paste or attach it to your e-mail in Word or PDF format e-mail to judtestimony@cga.ct.gov right away.  Testimony is still welcome after 5pm on Tuesday – it just might not be posted till after the hearing.  View other testimony to get inspired.

Join Marianne at the state Capitol on Wednesday!

3) Fill the Hearing Room. We want to show legislators the many people who oppose assisted suicide in Connecticut.  They want to see you! Bring your friends and neighbors.  There will be stickers to wear and plenty of seats in the large hearing room 2C.  You can start lining up for seats outside the hearing room starting at 7am.  The doors to the hearing room will open in the hour(s) before the hearing officially starts.  You can come at any time during the day or evening to sit in the hearing room and show opposition to assisted suicide but morning before 9am is best.

4) A special request. Find you legislator by clicking here.  Are they one of these legislators on the Judiciary Committee?  If so, your legislator wants to talk to you personally on the day of the public hearing.  Please contact us at info@ctfamily.org if you would be willing to meet briefly with your legislator the day of the public hearing or tell us the day of the hearing.  This is a vital effort for opposing assisted suicide.

5) Vote “no” in this poll: http://wtnh.com/2015/03/16/lawmakers-look-over-assisted-suicide-bill/

Until the end of session we need people to write the members of the Judiciary Committee and their own legislators.  You may find the information you need in our Action Center, Action Items Against Assisted Suicide and Contact the Members of the Judiciary.  Please share this information on social media and e-mail. Thank you!

What do I bring?  Attending and/or testifying at a public hearing is a great way to participate in the democratic process.  Bring a lunch or money for the cafeteria.  There are water fountains and rest rooms (of course!)  If you plan to testify, please bring the appropriate number of copies to give to the Committee.  More information about the Judiciary Committee and testifying.

More Info . .
Driving directions.
Cafeteria Services.